Bahamas News
Pelican Point residents have come a long way since Dorian, says Minister Moxey
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 1, 2024
By ANDREW COAKLEY
Bahamas Information Services
PELICAN POINT, Grand Bahama – As hundreds of Grand Bahamians flocked to the famous site of the Pelican Point Coconut Festival on Monday, April 1, 2024, Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey reminded them that it was fitting to acknowledge the progress Pelican Point residents have made in rebuilding their community following the devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian in 2019.
“So, let us take this opportunity to thank the Almighty God and celebrate together as fellow islanders, neighbors and friends united in our love for Grand Bahama and our shared Bahamian heritage,” said Minister Moxey during the official opening of the 24th edition of the Coconut Festival.
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, the Coconut Festival Committee, my team at the Ministry for Grand Bahama, especially the Beautiful Grand Bahama team, who restored this site after it was devastated by Hurricane Dorian. And to all those who have worked tirelessly to make this event possible. Your dedication and passion has brought us together today in this joyous celebration.”
Minister Moxey said that her Ministry was more than happy to be a sponsor of this year’s Coconut Festival, as it aligns with the Ministry’s vision for Grand Bahama’s bcoming the home of entertainment.
She pointed out that festivals like the Coconut Fest serve as a tribute to the legacy of Bahamian ancestors passed down through generations. Such festivals, she added, become a recognition of the country’s rich Bahamian heritage and culture through music and great, great food.
The annual Coconut Festival attracts thousands of Bahamians and visitors to the quaint community of Pelican Point, where the coconut becomes the main attraction and is featured in every meal, dessert and drink served on festival grounds.
“Once again, I welcome you all to the annual Pelican Point Coconut Festival,” said Minister Moxey. “Enjoy the coconut delights, games, music and entertainment and every aspect of our culture. May this day be filled with laughter, love and the spirit of our beautiful island.
“So, on this day, Monday, April 1, 2024, Easter Monday, in the beautiful settlement of Pelican Point I hereby declare Coconut Festival 2024 officially opened.”
Also bringing remarks at the festival was leader of the Official Opposition, the Hon. Michael Pintard, who spoke on behalf of Kwasi Thompson, the Member of Parliament for East Grand Bahama. Pintard noted that festivals have been an important part of the Ministry of Tourism and the Bahamas’ product development and promotion of the country for decades.
He noted that the Coconut Fest is the result of the ingenuity and creativity of the people of east Grand Bahama.
“I would like to single out the committee for this Festival, led by Cathy Laing and others who in 1998, had a vision to take one of the local, iconic fruits of the island – the coconut – and popularize it by making sure that drinks and meals were developed based on this particular product. Of course they infused into the cuisine the culture of the Bahamas.”
Pintard said that the Orange Economy in The Bahamas is exploding, and he congratulated all of those who contribute to it.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
